Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an, Turkey's trendy tyrant, made a fascist fashion statement in Washington D.C., the heart of our democracy, on a warm sunny day in mid-May on Embassy Row.

And quite a row it was. Nine peaceful protesters carrying placards denouncing Erdo&gbreve;an ambled around the sidewalk across Massachusetts Avenue in front of the Turkish Ambassador's residence. As Erdo&gbreve;an stood near his limo, idly looking on, 24 members of his security team, large beefy men in suits, some with holstered fire arms, brushed aside the understaffed and overmatched law enforcement team tasked with keeping the sides separated, attacked the protesters and beat them to a pulp, kicking and punching them while they were on the ground. They roughed up the police -- federal officers -- who intervened.

Videos of the beatdown have been widely watched on Youtube, and the New York Times identified each and every goon and showed each in action. Members of Congress, who saw foreign agents attacking lawful protesters in the very seat of our sovereignty, expressed outrage. Sen. John McCain demanded that the Turkish Ambassador be expelled.

Two Turkish thugs were detained and subsequently released. Then the entire Erdo&gbreve;an entourage headed home. Before the last goon could even flash his diplomatic get-out-of-jail-free cards, the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara called the U.S. Ambassador to demand an apology for the attack on the 24 Erdo&gbreve;an goons by the nine protesters, claiming the police were complicit.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the entire episode "unacceptable" and said the State Department would conduct a thorough investigation, sounding eerily similar to our very own Senator Richard Burr talking about his committee's investigation into the Trump Campaign's Russian connections.

CORA's food pantry distributed more than 227 tons of food this past fiscal year to Chatham County individuals and families who are thrust into crisis because of job loss, illness, loss of domicile, loss of breadwinner or other serious hardship. Such circumstances are all too commonplace in Chatham County. The demise of the local furniture, textile and poultry industries, and the difficulties experienced by local farmers and small businesses as a result, have kept demand for assistance high since 2007. Currently, 12 percent of Chatham County citizens (more than 9,100) live in poverty (www.feedingamerica.org).

According to the Chatham County Schools nutrition office, 4528 (50 percent) of Chatham County's public school children received free or low-cost meals at school this year through the federal school lunch program because their families live at or near poverty level, an increase of 17.4 percent since 2010..

One of the most topsy-turvy analyses if political party underpinnings I have ever seen is this article, "Understanding Democrats and Republicans," - Part II, October, 2016 edition of Chatham Opinion Line. Couched in a barrage of pedagogy and verbiage, it appears to propose an explanation of the basic differences between the members of the two parties, while not pretending to steer people wrong. (Ahem)

Paragraph two: There is no mystique in the different beliefs in governance. Platforms are pretty clear. The states are the proving grounds.

Bynum Front Porch Friday Night Music: Head to the Bynum General Store on Friday nights! There is live music every week in the summer, May - August, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Toe tapping music -- from Tommy Edwards and the Bluegrass Experience to the Durham Ukulele Orchestra. Come early -- get supper at the food trucks! There are games and toys , screen doors for kids to bang, dancing with the firefles! What a great way to start the weekend!

1. No pets.
2. No alcohol.
3. Bynum Front Porch sponsored events are free but we pass the pith helmet to pay the performers, provide Chatham Co. students scholarships and maintain the building. If you can afford it, a $10 donation is requested.
4. Keep an eye on the young'uns!
5. All events are rain or shine!

Service Dog Team Graduation for Eyes Ears Nose and Paw

Eyes Ears Nose and Paws (EENP) will graduate two teams of clients and assistance dogs on Saturday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at the Carrboro Century Center.

After completing an intensive two-week Client Team Training Seminar at the EENP training facility, AnneMarie Riether of Pittsboro will be partnered with mobility assistance dog Kirby, and Lynn Pennacchini of Asheville with diabetic assistance dog Big B.

During Client Team Training Seminar, which began June 12, clients learn to work with their new assistance dog partners through a series of classroom presentations, hands-on practice and field trips in the local community. According to Client Services Specialist Rachel Robertson "it is inspiring to watch individuals like AnneMarie and Lynn and their assistance dogs flourish in the community. Their dedication and perseverance is contagious. At the end of a tough training week, Lynn was smiling while recording her blood glucose data while AnneMarie was off practicing cues with Kirby".

The graduation ceremony is designed to celebrate the achievements of the teams and their trainers. According to Executive Director Maria Ikenberry, "graduation is a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the hard work that has gone into these placements. It lets clients know that they are supported and that support extends beyond just the day of graduation".

More information about graduation can be found at eenp.org/main/graduation. Graduation is free, fun, and open to the public.

Lynn recently moved to Asheville to pursue a degree in Chinese medicine. Lynn is partnered with her diabetic alert dog Big B. More than just a companion, Big B detects changes in Lynn’s blood sugar – which means Lynn can keep tighter control of her blood sugar, minimize long-term damage to her organs, and perhaps most importantly, be less likely to have life-threatening medical crises.

AnneMarie Riether recently moved back to the Chapel Hill area to be closer to her daughter. AnneMarie volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol and is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at her alma mater, UNC School of Medicine. Her assistance dog Kirby provides her with support in her daily life – and allows her to live alone more safely by helping her recover from falls, balance while walking, and retrieve items, such as the phone to call for help.